A new method for manufacturing high ratio air-cooled extruded aluminum heat sinks has been announced by Sapa Extrusions North America.
Created by Sapa’s North American Technical Center (NATC), an internal research, design and development center, the new method combines the company’s aluminum extrusion manufacturing techniques with friction stir welding technology to create heat sinks that are approximately eight percent more thermally efficient than the industry standard. The patent-pending method utilizes a modular concept that enables maximum flexibility with fin geometry, fin ratio and heat sink footprint, allowing for the production of large-scale heat sinks up to 20 in in width. The company plans to use this new method to manufacture heat sinks for the power and LED street light markets.
“This has been an exciting process, as we’re now able to achieve heat sink radios in excess of 40:1, where we were previously restricted to ratios of 16:1 based on extrusion limitations,” Steve Jackson, business development manager of thermal management at Sapa Extrusions North America, said. “As a result, we’re able to offer customers an improved product that will provide cost savings, a decrease in lead time and a solution that meets a range of requirements.”
